Parental Relationships in Hamlet

Evaluate the role of family in a character’s success or failure in Hamlet.

In William Shakespeare’s Hamlet, the emphasis placed on a parent-child relationship is vital, as family plays an important role in developing a character’s values as well as bringing stability to their life. Throughout the play Hamlet, the values brought on by a parent are instrumental in developing a character’s familial obligation and sense of purpose. Following the loss of their fathers, the characters of Ophelia, Laertes and Hamlet lose the motivation and stability their fathers once provided. In order to fulfill their obligations to their late fathers, each character must look for a new sense of purpose, which ultimately leads to their death.

The relationship that Ophelia shares with her father, Polonius, is rather dogmatic to say the least. Throughout Hamlet, Polonius demonstrates almost absolute control over Ophelia as if she were a tool with the sole purpose of serving Polonius. As a result of a weakness of mind and will caused by a lack of independent thought, Ophelia does not oppose Polonius; for instance when Polonius challenges Hamlet’s intentions with Ophelia, she can only muster “I do not know, my lord, what I should think.” (I,3,104) Ophelia allows herself to be controlled, even rebuffing her love for Hamlet simply because Polonius suggested that she not “give words or talk with the Lord Hamlet,” (I,4,135) which illustrates the importance Ophelia places on her familial obligations. The structure and guidance that Polonius provides for Ophelia, leads her to affirm that she “shall obey” him. (I,4,136) Following the death of Polonius, Ophelia, who is already distressed over hearing Hamlet say “I lov’d you not,”(III,1,119) has beyond a shadow of a doubt, lost her purpose. The stability that Polonius once offered has now disappeared, leaving Ophelia in a state of confusion. Even after death, the profound loyalty that Ophelia has to her father, prevents her from...

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Table of Contents
1. Introduction iii
2. Body iii
2.1 “I did love you once” iii
2.2 “I loved you not” iv
2.3 “This is I, Hamlet the Dane” v
3. Conclusion vi
Bibliography vii
Versicherung viii
1. Introduction
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2. Body
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...Singh | 5
Maheep Singh
Ms. Campbell
ENG4U
01/10/12
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2. The author of the book is William Shakespeare.
3. The film was produced by The Royal Shakespeare Company.
III. Plot
The genre of Hamlet is tragedy. The inciting incident of the play is that the King Hamlet appeared as a ghost wearing armor and revealed that Claudius murdered him. Hamlet has conflicts himself about whether to avenge Claudius or not because he is not sure the King’s honesty. While Claudius and Polonius surveil Hamlet, Hamlet stabs Polonius, and he creates unavoidable strife with Claudius. Claudius manipulates Laertes into revenge, so Laertes challenges Hamlet a combat, and Hamlet accepts it. The ending IS a sad denouement because everyone succeeds in blood revenge, and they all die at the end of the scene.
IV. Characters
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